Shay White is looking to make history in Oklahoma, becoming the first woman -- and the first African-American -- to hold a seat in the state legislature.
She hopes she can use her relatability to her advantage.
“The biggest unifying factor is that I am a voter from my district,” White told Cheddar in an interview. “I live here, I shop here, I worship here, and I contribute here.”
Like her potential constituents, White says, “sometimes I have to make a tough decision [of whether] I buy gasoline or groceries.” She says she wants to provide a voice to working families in her area.
White is one of many women jumping into the electoral fray since 2016’s presidential elections. Nearly 400 are reportedly running for the U.S. House of Representatives this year -- the most in U.S. history -- and 22 are non-incumbent black women.
But White’s campaign has nothing to do with that movement. She told Cheddar she’s wanted to run since age 12.
The twenty-six-year-old elementary school mental health provider has a prevalent presence in her community. Besides being a woman’s rights supporter, the District 77 candidate holds a leadership position within Together Oklahoma, a grassroots education and advocacy group.
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/the-womens-march-to-elected-office).
Presidential hopefuls sparred over immigration at the Democratic debate in Detroit Wednesday night, arguing specifically over how the next occupant of the White House will improve the system and correct approaches taken by past administrations.
On the Detroit Democratic debate stage, Sen. Kamala Harris, a former prosecutor, found herself grilled on her record regarding cannabis and criminal justice by fellow candidate Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.
Rep. Ryan told Cheddar that he's so focused on making sure American workers are prepared for the future of manufacturing and wants to drive investment in the electric vehicle market.
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 0.25 percent on Wednesday, marking the first time the U.S. central bank had lowered rates since the financial collapse in 2008. The decision puts the benchmark rate at a range between 2 and 2.25 percent.
Fox News personality Judge Jeanine Pirro is jumping into the cannabis game. She joined the board of Heavenly Rx, the hemp and CBD company announced on Wednesday.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Wednesday, July 31, 2019.
Candidates like Pete Buttigieg, Tim Ryan, and Amy Klobuchar were very critical of the student loan forgiveness plans put forth by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren on the Detroit debate stage.
In a debate heavy on the topic of Medicare for All versus private insurance, the 2020 Democratic candidates also wrangled about expanding guaranteed coverage to undocumented immigrants on the Detroit stage.
The president's team is in Detroit as Democratic hopefuls flock to the second primary debates, and it's banking on the economic improvements in the Great Lakes State to help him bring home another victory in 2020.
President Trump may be excluded from the nation’s largest primary election after California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law on Tuesday that would require presidential hopefuls to release their tax returns in order to appear on the ballot.
